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| Shining Sea Bikeway |
In June we went to Cape Cod for a wedding, but why not tack on extra days and call it a vacation? It was a lesson in packing two vehicles with five bikes and five family members, who fortunately were also happy to help drive, as I was still feverish from a shingles vaccine reaction (3 weeks!). We arrived a few days before the wedding, so we explored the area trails and beaches. I was mostly well during the day, distracted by all the Cape's beauty.
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| Eastern Box Turtle. |
I'd never seen an Eastern Box Turtle before. This 6" creature was at least 20 years old, the age when reaching maturity and maximum size, though they can live up to 50 years old. Such a cute, colorful little guy!
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| At the junction of the Cape Cod rail trail and the Old Colony trail, waiting for my family. |
We rode the main Cape Cod Rail Trail in opposite directions from our conveniently located condo in Brewster. Some days we never used the car!
Rather, Province Lands holds the distinction of having the oldest cycling trails on Cape Cod. And not just any trail, but a paved trail rolling up and down huge dunes with flowering bushes and through a section of woodland, with one way feeder trails radiating off it to visitor centers, beaches, and historical lifesaving buildings. It was a hoot and only difficult on a couple occasions for me as I was riding my folding bike. A short walk to regain a hilltop was worth it to experience this unique place.
This mini vacation holds a special place in my heart. From experiencing a wedding on the beach, to spending time with our two sons, to renting a comfortable condo, to watching seals play in the surf, and enjoying sand between my toes, to riding shady trails in early season comfortable sunshine, the vacation will resonate with me for a long time.
Interesting to see a paved path through sand dunes. I wonder how / who keeps it swept.
ReplyDeleteIt's a national park.
DeleteLovely pictures, glad you had a good time. I'm curious about your "shingles vaccine reaction" - it would not occur to many people (including another lady cyclist I follow) that having shingles was a vaccine reaction, despite it being well documented. Have you had it confirmed by the powers that be that it is indeed a vaccine reaction, or is it "just" your own opinion based on your own knowledge (which in my opinion would be good enough!)? I do hope you recover fully soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's a reaction to the vaccine of which I will need a second dose. It's normal to have 2-3 days of symptoms. Mine was extreme. Shingles can flare up in the elderly population if you had chicken pox as a child so doctors advise being vaccinated.
DeleteAh, I see. I had wrongly assumed you meant the covid vaccine.
Deletelooks a lot like the Discovery Trail at Long Beach, Wa. very enjoyable ride! I too had a severe reaction to the second shingles shot, followed by a pace maker installation; don't know if the two were related or not...
ReplyDelete